John Mica

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. First, I'd like to insert in the Record a list of the staff who worked on H.R. 658. Mr. Speaker, as I close today on this historic legislation, again, I can't thank enough folks like Mr. Costello, who will be leaving us; Mr. Rahall, our ranking member; the leader of the committee, Mr. Petri; and others who have been here helping and working on this. I think Mr. Costello and Mr. Young summed it up: this is the work of many people. It is not exactly what any one of us individually would offer. The important thing is this provides some certainty in an uncertain time. This process is very difficult; the Founding Fathers wanted it that way. But the American people want us to get the job done. Now, just to be factual, the other side, again, had 4 years in which they controlled this body, the United States Senate, and 2 years in which they had significant majorities and the Presidency; and they could not get it done. They did 17 extensions. Let me praise Mr. DeFazio; I didn't see him here. He and I helped lead the effort to pass, in 2003, a 4-year bill that expired in 2007. That means for the past 5 years we have not had a revised and updated policy for our aviation system and for the FAA. And that hurts the system, it hurts the American people, it hurts looking for safety improvements in the process, and it hurts people looking for expanded opportunities to be employed. Today, we heard some good news on employment, and the good news is that some of the policies that went amok, the spending that went amok, the new regulations that went amok, this small band of people who were sent here have called a lot of that to a halt. It wasn't productive. This bill does not have tax increases in it. This bill does not have earmarks in it. This bill does not have any special plums or favors for anyone. And contrary to what's been said here today, this bill does not adversely affect labor. It's a fairness issue. The House passed a measure that would have codified and changed what the NMB changed in 70 years of labor law, allowing whoever showed up to vote into a union. It set out a fair process, and it was done with a compromise. And if you want to know what the delay was in the first 4 years, let's be frank: it was a labor issue that the Democrats couldn't resolve among themselves, and they controlled the whole process. So I am here 1 year later as chair. I took some tough measures, and I will take tough measures to see that we get our job done. We stayed until 2:49 this morning to get the next piece of legislation marked up. We have done and passed, and the President has signed, an improvement to our pipeline safety which is so important for energy, expanding energy sources, but also making certain that that energy is coming to us in a safe and responsible manner. Today, we will pass in the House the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act, accounting for up to 11 percent, I'm told, of our gross domestic product, our economic activity for the country, $1.3 trillion in business activity, thousands of jobs. And let me tell you too, we can't let labor--you can't let business--go astray. It's our responsibility to set a steady course. Look, this is a very fragile industry. We just heard an announcement that American Airlines is going to cut more than 10,000, I think 13,000, jobs in bankruptcy. Boeing, we almost lost jobs in South Carolina. We can't play those games, labor and business. We've got to come together and get people working. The aviation industry--not only the passengers, for whom flying is so important--but aviation products, they are the core to our exports. So we can and we must get this done working together. Staff Who Worked on H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization Bill: February 3, 2012 Submitted by: Congressman John L. Mica House Majority Staff: Holly Woodruff Lyons Bailey Edwards Simone Perez Andrew Rademaker Jim Coon Amy Smith Suzanne Mullen Sharon Barkeloo Tracy Mosebey Debbie Gebhardt House Minority Staff: Giles Giovinazzi Alex Burkett Julia Rowe Jim Zoia Ward McCarragher Sarah Blackwood Senate Majority Staff: Gael Sullivan Rich Swayze Adam Duffy Ellen Doneski James Reed John Williams Senate Minority Staff: Jarrod Thompson Todd Bertoson I am pleased to yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Louis Roney, who has devoted his life both as a performing artist and in support of the arts. Throughout his career as a longtime leading operatic tenor, he has been featured in the great opera houses of Europe and North America. As a great patron of the arts in Florida, he has recently been recognized and will soon be inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Mr. Roney's professional music career began after his studies at Harvard and commended service in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Over four decades he sang leading roles throughout Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich and Lisbon, as well as Italy, Canada, and of course, the United States. He was frequently engaged as a soloist all across America and Europe and appeared in numerous movies and national operatic festivals over the course of his career. Over the years he has performed as leading tenor in every major French and German opera house. His life work has been performing, teaching and supporting music. Though he spent his whole life mingling amongst heads of state, royalty and Europe's cultural elite, he never lost a deep sense of how art can transcend power and wealth and can be appreciated and enjoyed by everyone. Mr. Roney has said that, ``The artist's life is a `giving' proposition. And if giving is more blessed than receiving, the artist is more blest than those who enjoy his art.'' Returning to his home State of Florida after his European career, Mr. Roney continued to devote his life to expanding cultural opportunities for others. He founded and for 17 years led Orlando's Festival of Orchestras. He served as Distinguished Professor of Music and Artist in Residence Emeritus at the University of Central Florida. In both of these roles Mr. Roney has worked with passion and dedication to make culture and the arts accessible to as many people as possible. Mr. Roney is well deserving of the honor and induction into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. This recognition expresses our State's appreciation for his selfless service to the humanities and salutes a life lived with great dignity and purpose, as well as a daily sense of the high calling of the artist. He and his career have had a deep and profound impact on our community, State and Nation. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Mr. Roney for his decades of service and congratulate him on the Florida Artists Hall of Fame's recognition of his invaluable contributions.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Petri, our chair of the Aviation Subcommittee. I see Mr. Costello, the ranking member, former chair of the subcommittee. Thank you for your work. We're here to extend FAA for the 23rd time. The consequences of that can, I hope, be positive, that we can conclude this long overdue and very important authorization. Members of Congress, we must authorize every program. That's part of our constitutional responsibility. I had the privilege, when I chaired the Aviation Subcommittee, to write a lot of what was in the last bill which we authored in 2003. It expired in 2007. The other side of the aisle had 4 years in which they controlled the body, 2 of which they controlled every branch of government, and were unable to pass that. They passed 17 extensions. We've had to pass--it will now be five--but we can get this done. This should be a bipartisan and must be a bicameral jobs bill. The aviation industry in our country accounts for between 7 and 8 percent of our gross domestic national economic activity, and for us not to have passed an authorization that updates the safety, all of the programs, the next generation of air traffic control, things that are so important to have a dynamic industry, and then an area of our economy that we have led in in the world. The biggest area of exports is aviation. That's huge for jobs in this country. So this is going to be the last extension. It's done in, again, a bipartisan effort to conclude the negotiation. Let me say in conclusion, there are some tough issues on labor that have held us up--4 years with the Democrats, the last year with us--and I want to commend Speaker Boehner for his leadership working with the leadership of the Senate. The Speaker and his staff and others have worked day and night through the holidays and right up to now to conclude what I think is a very fair compromise. And it must be a compromise. This is part of our business is to do the best business we can for the American people and getting this economy working and getting in place the framework for one of the most important aspects of our industry. If we want to see Americans back to work, we'll pass this legislation by the 17th of February, and then we'll come back in the next week or two, and we will pass a long-term infrastructure transportation measure, and we will and we can get Americans working. So I ask for continued cooperation to complete this important process.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his leadership in helping to guide this legislation and important measure through Congress. I want to take this opportunity to thank folks on both sides of the aisle: Mr. Upton, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee; I particularly want to thank Ms. Brown, Mr. Rahall, Mr. Waxman; and of course others who have helped on the Senate side. This legislation is being done really the way Congress is intended to work, to try to reach a bicameral, bipartisan consensus. We don't have to go to conference. We have worked out some of the issues, and this is not an easy piece of legislation to pass. This is a very important piece of legislation for the American people as far as our energy resources and transporting them safely across the land, as far as an industry that is so important to creating jobs and opportunity and keeping the cost of energy down for men and women, consumers and people hit by difficult times right now, looking for reasonable energy costs and keeping the U.S. competitive and providing reasonably costed energy and transporting it safely. This is probably one of the four main jobs bills, too, that we will pass from our committee. We have today the pipeline safety legislation. Our committee has also passed the Coast Guard authorization, and we are hoping we can reach a consensus on that. We have finished and are preconferencing with the Senate the FAA bill which is 4\1/2\ years overdue. We inherited that 4 years late, and we are basically finished. There are a few items that must be resolved by leadership. Then, finally, time did not allow us to finish a major transportation bill, sometimes referred to as the highway bill, but this will be more than a highway bill. We plan to have that up as soon as we return. So those are our four major pieces of legislation, and this represents, again, a concerted effort by a number of key players in dual committees and in both the House and the Senate. What's important about this legislation is it does make some changes, and you have heard from Members who have had horrendous pipeline incidents in their communities and their States, people have lost their lives, there's been extreme property damage, and we have also impacted in a negative fashion the environment. And what we do here in this legislation are some simple things. First, we enhance the inspections. We set standards of better inspections for pipelines. We hold pipeline operators accountable, and that's important. People must be responsible for their actions, and we double the fines if there is negligence. There will be a penalty to pay because the damage has been incurred. And, again, we have seen some of the bad results. What we hope for is good results from this, again, that we can keep energy flowing and provide it for consumers. That's good news for consumers, that's good news for the industry at a time when we should be hiring and employing people in this important energy activity, and it's good news for, again, safe transport and safe jobs in an important industry in our country. So I'm pleased that we've come together. We have, I think, achieved and set an example for the Congress when Congress's reputation is, oh, very low, and that's giving us high marks. And when people express their disappointment in the inability of Congress to act, we are acting. Because this is being resolved without conflict and without, again, huge disruption in the congressional process, it probably won't get much attention. But it is in fact, and it is indeed a very important seep forward. I'm grateful for all of those who have come together and worked and made this an example of how Congress can and should work for the benefit of the American people.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper) be removed as a cosponsor from H.R. 3538.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, it's time for the other body to act. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has a plan for putting Americans back to work. We've moved on more than 20 pieces of legislation that now sit idly in the other body. We have provisions that will empower small businesses--the great job creators of America. We have provisions that will fix the Tax Code to help create jobs. We have provisions that will help manufacturing to have jobs in America, not overseas. We have provisions that will encourage entrepreneurship and growth and maximize American energy production. And all of these measures sit over in the other body. I call on the leadership of the other body and all Members to get this legislation moving forward. There are millions of people without jobs, and they need us to act not later but now. And finally, I call on them to help finalize a 4\1/2\-year-old, with more than 21 extensions, FAA bill that still languishes. It's time to stop the nonsense and get America back to work. Let's pass these bills held hostage.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 11, 2011 a central Florida Soldier, PFC Theodore B. Rushing, lost his life in service to our nation from wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an I.E.D. in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan while assigned to 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment; 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. PFC Rushing joined the U.S. Army in March of this year. Upon completion of his training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, PFC Rushing reported to Fort Drum, New York. In August he deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. PFC Rushing's impressive list of awards and decorations include the Purple Heart; Army Achievement Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; NATO Medal; National Defense Service Medal; the Combat Action Badge; and a Bronze Star awarded posthumously. PFC Rushing was a former student at Altamonte Christian School in Altamonte Springs where he had a reputation of being fearless, an attribute that he carried into battle. Upon completion of high school, PFC Rushing attended Seminole State College where he earned his associates degree. PFC Rushing had planned on following in his father's footsteps as a police officer once he had completed his military service. We shall never forget the ultimate sacrifice PFC Rushing has given for his country. His actions will serve as an everlasting reminder of the dedication and sacrifice the members of our nation's Armed Services make every day. To his family, we extend our very deepest sympathy and condolences. PFC Rushing is survived by his father George, mother Ann, sister Stacy and grandparents Marcheta and William. For his service and sacrifice, I ask all Members to join me in honoring his life and commitment to our nation.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of the amending the Constitution to include a Balanced Budget Amendment requiring government to live within its means. This week, our national debt surpassed $15 trillion. Our nation faces difficult economic times, a good part due to spending beyond our means. Debt per household and for every American is at an unsustainable level and jeopardizes our future. We can balance our budget. I helped and voted for that responsible path which we achieved from 1996 to 2001. We have today the opportunity to take an important step toward reestablishing fiscal order to our nation. Congress must ensure that the reckless spending and poor choices of today do not doom our children and grandchildren to insurmountable indebtedness. Having balanced our budgets in the past, and, while it will not be easy, it can be done again. Families and businesses have made the tough choices that are required. Government must now follow. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support the passage of this resolution and provide Americans the opportunity to vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment. This is a decision not just for the House of Representatives or Congress, but for the American people. History will judge us today on how we have laid the foundation for the success of future generations. I urge my colleagues to make the right choice.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I would like to yield to the gentleman from Texas for the purpose of entering into a colloquy.

Mr. MICA. I agree with the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. MICA. I understand the gentleman's concern. We will work with him.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Chair, attached are exchange of letters between the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security regarding provisions included in H.R. 2838 for inclusion in the Congressional Record. U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC, September 27, 2011. Hon. Peter T. King, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 2838, the ``Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011.'' I acknowledge that by forgoing a sequential referral on this legislation, your Committee is not diminishing or altering its jurisdiction. I also concur with you that forgoing action on this bill does not in any way prejudice the Committee on Homeland Security with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the future, and I would support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this legislation. I will include our letters on H.R. 2838 in the Congressional Record during House floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation, and I look forward to working with the Committee on Homeland Security as the bill moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, John L. Mica, Chairman.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Chair, H.R. 2838, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act 2011, authorizes Coast Guard funding for Fiscal Years 2012, 2013 and 2014. The authorized levels were approved in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Budget Views and Estimates, and reflect the levels set in the House-passed Budget Resolution. Following up on the Committee's Sitting on Our Assets Report, H.R. 2838 decommissions two aging icebreakers, neither of which currently operates. The bill also restricts the purchases of future National Security Cutters (NSCs) until current NSCs meet long-promised mission performance capabilities. In addition to authorizing the Coast Guard and making improvements to the service's programs and capabilities, the bill also improves the administration of maritime transportation, including--clarifying the circumstances under which a foreign seaman injured outside the United States can sue in United States courts. The bill incorporates H.R. 2840, the Commercial Vessel Discharges Reform Act of 2011. H.R. 2840 establishes a uniform national standard for ballast water discharges. This provision is strongly supported by the U.S. and international maritime industry. It protects the environment and makes maritime transportation more efficient. H.R. 2838 also incorporates an amended version of H.R. 2839, the Piracy Suppression Act of 2011, which authorizes additional actions to suppress piracy. It also improves the tracking of ransom payments to pirates to assure these payments do not fund terrorism. This bill promotes maritime safety and security and make makes maritime commerce more efficient. I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on H.R. 2838.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. I thank both Ranking Member Brown of the Rail Subcommittee, who's leading this legislation on the floor tonight, and Chairman Petri, the chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, for their leadership and also directing in a bipartisan manner this legislation that we brought forth from our committee with very, very strong support, Members, again, from both sides of the aisle. I know that there are some folks that have raised some concerns, and I'll address them; but very simply, what is taking place here is that the European Union is trying to impose, in January, an air emissions tax. And they're going to start the clock running, they want to start it running January 1, the meter will start, and American airlines will get the bill in 2013. Now, you heard some comments here that we don't want folks to follow the law or operating in--there was an example of double-hull ships operating in U.S. waters. Well, we're not talking about, again, anything that's even similar to what's being proposed here. What they're proposing is, say, from Los Angeles or Chicago or New York, anywhere in the United States to anywhere in the European Union, to tax. And the meter starts running the minute the plane departs from any point in the United States until it reaches Europe, and the same thing when it departs Europe back to the United States. Not only does this violate international treaties, the Chicago Convention; we've never had anything like this imposed or proposed before. It is not flexible. We've heard the term used it's ``flexible.'' It's not flexible. The other thing, too, is we're trying to work with others and work with the European Union. And many states have now joined the United States--in fact, they've taken the lead on some of this, both in conference in New Delhi and in meetings in Oslo, and they said this is unfair. So it's not just the United States that's saying this is unfair. Now, if the European Union chooses to impose a tax within its boundaries, or if we say within our waters you do certain things--like double hull if you want that ship to go there--that's fine with us. If they want to improve emissions in their airspace, that's fine with us. But that's not what they're doing here, and that's why we have this opposition. The second point is, and I don't want to get into the climate debate, but if you really care about eliminating emissions--and I know the airlines do because the more emissions they eliminate and the more they can conserve fuel, that's their bottom line and that's very important to them. But that being said, again, one of the most important points of all of this is that, again, this money that they're collecting--and it's a tax grab by the European Union--this money that they're getting, there's no requirement that it goes into eliminating emissions from aircraft. In fact, they told us that you can buy your way out or you can buy some other trade for some other industry. So it doesn't set out to do what, again, is being forecast or demonstrated. In fact, they're very unclear as to how this will be totally instituted. It's what's called an article 25 provision within their current law. And as I've checked, this is almost the end of October, this goes into effect in January. And they couldn't tell us on Friday and they couldn't tell us here in the United States or in Brussels what provisions of article 25 and exactly how they will implement this. So I think that what will happen here is we'll send a strong message: Yes, we're for protecting the environment. We have no problems with the European Union taking measures within their borders, and our airlines should comply and other carriers should comply, both departing and arriving. They can do that. But when you stop and think that this would impose a European tax over the skies of the United States, never heard of anything like that before. So, again, we are willing to work with our European counterparts. We believe that November 2--we were informed when we were in Montreal meeting with ICAO representatives that this will be brought up before that international body, the International Civil Aviation Organization. It sets all the protocols, the standards, security safety provisions. And we will win in that body a legitimate vote by a very wide margin. The Europeans will be left behind on this issue. But we all want to work with them. They're our friends. This shouldn't lead to a trade war. It should lead to a resolution that does improve our environment and that does allow the European Union to do what they need to do. And, also, if we're going to impose this, that we have some understanding of how we can do better in reducing air emissions.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. I want to commend America's 3.2 million professional truck drivers who serve our nation by expediting commerce and goods essential to our homes and businesses. One out of every fifteen people across the country are employed in the trucking industry, making it one of the nation's largest employers. The trucking industry is responsible for nearly 68 percent of the total U.S. freight tonnage and over 80 percent of communities rely solely on it for their goods and commodities. This industry is fundamental to our economy. America's truck drivers are dedicated to keeping our highways safe. They follow stringent safety regulations, attend frequent training programs and educate the motoring public to help keep our highways and interstates safe. While regulation of transportation commerce and safety is necessary, we need to be careful we do not over-regulate and harm such a vital industry. We need to allow these dedicated and hard working professionals to perform their jobs with the support of our government and without unnecessary government interference. This week I join my colleagues in extending a warm thank you to them and to their families for the sacrifices they make each and every day for this country. Today, I honor these wonderful Americans for their dedication and service rendered to our nation's economy and for delivering everyday life's essentials safely and securely.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2887) to provide an extension of surface and air transportation programs, and for other purposes.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2887.

Mr. MICA. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to extend once again authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration and for our Nation's transportation, highway, and transit programs. Unfortunately, these are extensions that have been piled upon extensions for both of these programs. And while the legislation before us is important and it signifies a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to move forward, it must not be just a temporary bandaid for our important aviation, highway, rail, and safety programs, and for future job creation for our Nation. To build our Nation's infrastructure and to really put people to work, we need long-term reauthorizations for these programs. Unfortunately, this bill is the 22nd FAA extension and the eighth surface transportation extension. Congress, unfortunately, has delayed passing a long-term FAA reauthorization for over 4 years, and a surface transportation bill has lagged for some 2 years. This action today represents a last chance to roll up our sleeves and get transportation projects moving forward in America again. A couple of comments about this legislation. H.R. 2887 is a clean 6-month extension for surface transportation programs, and it's also a clean 4-month extension for aviation programs. The extension's funding levels are consistent with the Full- Year Continuing Appropriations Act, our CR passed by Congress in April of this year. For surface transportation, the bill authorizes $19.9 billion for highway, $660 million for highway safety, and $5.1 billion for transit, for a total of $25.6 billion. That's just for the 6-month period. While I would like to do a 6-year bill, our intention with this action today is to remain firmly committed to the commitment to do a 6-year transportation bill. This is a 6-month extension. Why 6 months? Because our States and our other entities that depend on a reliable funding partner must have some certainty. When we did the CR--which expires in just a few weeks here-- we were able to extend, on the seventh extension, our transportation programs until the end of this month. So we think this is being good stewards and responsible, again, in extending for 6 months a period in which there can be some stability in these important transportation projects, and also to make certain that jobs and employment in this area move forward. In July, I released a transportation reauthorization proposal. This was an outline. We've been working with our Democrat colleagues in a bipartisan fashion since that time to actually craft language which is acceptable to set forth the policy and the funding schedule, all of the authorization that's so important to keep our Nation's infrastructure projects moving forward. So this should give us enough time to complete that process and get that legislation before us. With unemployment in the construction industry at record-high levels, it's imperative that we also provide this time. Let me talk about FAA for a minute. This bill does authorize funds through the end of January for FAA. This is a list of extensions of FAA. I had the opportunity, as the chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, in 2003 to craft a 4-year FAA bill, which expired in 2007. So I helped write the last FAA 4-year authorization that expired in 2007. Here are the extensions. The Democrats controlled the House of Representatives and the Senate. Here, if you start in when you had the Obama administration take over, they also controlled the White House, the House, and the Senate. And we get down to the 17th extension under Democrat control, and I have agreed to three of them. I said enough is enough, and we must move forward with a long-term authorization. I stand before you today and say that, while the measures that we took in the last extension for FAA were somewhat extraordinary, this situation demands attention and action for long-term legislation by the United States Congress, and I'm going to make certain that we do everything to see that people are working in this industry and that we meet our responsibility for setting the policy for one of the most important industries in the United States, our aviation industry. So this is the history of what has taken place. This is the 22nd extension, and I can guarantee it will be the last extension because we must and we will pass a 4-year authorization. While there are some issues that remain to be resolved, we will continue working in a bipartisan manner. We passed legislation from the House. I look forward to working with Senator Rockefeller and others, Kay Bailey Hutchison, the ranking Republican in the Senate, Mr. Costello and Mr. Rahall, to get this legislation done. I urge my colleagues to support these two extensions rolled into one, H.R. 2887. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, September 13, 2011. Hon. John Mica, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Mica: I am writing concerning H.R. 2887, the ``Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011,'' which is scheduled for floor consideration today. As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (IRC). Sections 141 and 142 of this bill amend the IRC by extending the current Highway Trust Fund expenditure authority and the associated Federal excise taxes to March 31, 2012. Section 141 also amends the IRC by extending the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund excise tax to March 31, 2012. Similarly, Sections 202 and 203 of this bill amend the IRC by extending the current Airport and Airway Trust Fund expenditure authority and the associated Federal excise taxes to January 31, 2012. In order to expedite H.R. 2887 for Floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action on the bill. This is being done with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation. I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 2887, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration. Sincerely, Dave Camp, Chairman.

Mr. MICA. I yield myself 1 minute. Again, I enjoy working with the ranking member, Mr. Rahall, and just wanted to comment on his discussion of the FAA shutdown. Just for the record, the facts are that the House of Representatives, in a bipartisan vote, passed an FAA extension on July 20, 3 days prior to the deadline, July 22, 2011. Fact: the FAA extension contained reductions in thousand-dollar-plus airline pork subsidies affecting only three airports. The language that we adopted from the Senate affected 10 airports within 90 miles. The Senate Democrats, after 2 weeks of forcing a partial FAA shutdown, meekly went to the Senate floor and, in 71 seconds, passed the House extension that was available.

Mr. MICA. I yield myself 15 additional seconds. The fact is that only pork ticket subsidies were excluded. The fact is that the Democrats controlled the United States House and Senate for 4 years, letting FAA authorization expire in 2007, forcing 17 extensions, and even with the Presidency from 2009 until the beginning of this year were unable to pass FAA legislation. I yield 3 minutes to the chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri).

Mr. MICA. I yield myself 1 minute. Again, I think it's important that we pass this bipartisan extension. We wouldn't be here passing a combination of the transportation, highway, transit and FAA extensions if we hadn't taken action that was extraordinary. There was more than sufficient time for the Senate to act. Again, and I will submit this as part of the Record, the Democrats had complete control of the House and Senate in extraordinary majorities and never passed a bill, never appointed conferees. We have only had this responsibility since the beginning of this year, and we will pass a long-term bill and take whatever action is necessary to do that. Today we are moving the process forward, and I applaud leadership on both sides of the aisle, bipartisan, bicameral.

Mr. MICA. I yield myself 30 seconds. Again, just to deal with facts and reality, I think Mr. Cantor, myself, and others on the Republican side support transportation, building the country's infrastructure and jobs. But we have to look at what took place. Of a $787 billion stimulus bill, only $63 billion, 7 percent, went for infrastructure. Now, the proposal this week is up to 12 percent of $450 billion. Eighty-one percent of the stimulus transportation projects were temporary, created temporary jobs for repaving sidewalks and short-term projects, and less than one-half of 1 percent of the stimulus money went for new construction. I am pleased to yield at this time, if I may, 2 minutes to the chair of the Rail Subcommittee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).

Mr. MICA. I would like to yield 1\3/4\ minutes to one of our vice chairs, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hanna).

Mr. MICA. I yield myself 15 seconds. Just to set the record straight, I went to the Democrat side, the other side of the aisle, when we proposed the stimulus legislation. I asked to double the amount for infrastructure. I think I got 14 or more votes from the other side of the aisle, but I had the motion to recommit. I offered it and it was not accepted. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.